WWP September 18, 2025 | e-News

Willamette Workforce Partnership (WWP) recently spoke with employers across our region, and the message was clear: businesses need support in preparing the next generation of leaders and supervisors. Strong leadership sets the tone, builds team momentum, and helps organizations achieve their goals. To meet this need, WWP used Future Ready Oregon – Prosperity 10,000 funds to invest directly in leadership and supervisory training through three local providers.

In July, we highlighted Chemeketa Community College’s 18-hour leadership training designed for workers in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties to build skills in industries like manufacturing and healthcare. Last month, Knife River Training Center was featured for its Supervising 4 Success program, which brought 43 students into an immersive two-day workshop with outstanding results.

This month, we’re turning our attention to the third training partner, Exit Bliss. Exit Bliss helps non-profits and small businesses strengthen their teams by providing tools like organizational assessments, standard operating procedures, and capacity-building support. They’ve created workplaces where people can grow and thrive professionally. With guidance in change management and leadership alignment, Exit Bliss equips emerging supervisors with the confidence and support to step into new roles.

Through our partnership, Exit Bliss is introducing participants to the Project Management Professional (PMP) process and exam, giving aspiring leaders a strong foundation in project management practices that are widely recognized across industries. WWP is proud to support Exit Bliss as part of this initiative. Together, we’re ensuring that businesses in our region have the leadership talent they need to thrive now and into the future.

“Understanding Project Management from a lens of transparency, delivered in a way that isn’t confusing or leave me with many clarifying questions, this was exactly what PM Training should look like. Thank you to Show and Gloria for the excellent training, conversation, learning and the great humor and laughs. Learning PM was actually fun!!!” – Kenyatta

Exit Bliss’s important work continues this Fall with free Project Management & Leadership Training, right here in the Mid-Valley. 

What to Know:

• Open to residents of Linn, Marion, Polk, or Yamhill Counties
• 2 days of in-person, high-impact learning
• Choose from two sessions: Sept 25–26 or Oct 9–10

Click on the graphic to the right for more information on how to invest in your team!

Freshly poured concrete in place of crumbling sidewalks in downtown Carlton, Oregon is telling a story: one about workforce opportunity, community partnership, and the transformative power of a young person’s first job. Youth poured the equivalent length of 3 football fields of concrete this week!

Thanks to incredible partners like Kostenborder Contracting, SEDCOR, and YOOP! at Chehalem Youth & Family Services, rural youth are getting hands-on experience in the construction industry, an infrastructure sector critical to our region’s economic growth. WWP and it’s partners could not have funded this project without the financial help of www.aileronhospitality.com and the Powers Family Foundation, Kamph Rock Crushing Co, UFP Packaging and The Ground.

Construction is one of Oregon’s fastest-growing industries, with 18,000 jobs projected over the next decade. And yet, youth unemployment remains nearly triple the region’s average. The City of Carlton sidewalk project bridges that gap by providing real wages, relevant experience, and career exploration. Youth also learn important employability skills, like showing up to work on time, problem solving, and working as a team.

By connecting employers with emerging talent and supporting youth through their first job experience, WWP is living its mission: “to build a skilled workforce by supporting businesses with the talent they need and connecting individuals with employment opportunities.” When youth in our community succeed, our economy thrives.

Join us for The Willamette Valley Clear Path Expungement Clinic, where partners gather to help individuals clear past criminal records so they can access jobs, housing, and other opportunities. Held on the 3rd Friday of each month in Salem, the clinic offers affordable support to eligible participants seeking a fresh start. If you know someone in our community, looking to move forward in their lives, with new opportunities, tell them about our sponsored expungement clinic. If you have questions, please contact [email protected] or reach out to MWVCAA Reentry Services at 971-332-5332.

This spring, young adults ages 18–26 can join the Polk County Wildfire Prevention Crew to help protect local communities while building valuable job skills. Participants will earn $16.05/hour, receive training and certifications like Wilderness First Aid and OSHA 10, and gain hands-on experience that can launch a career in forestry or natural resources. Click on the image to learn more!